DT722 User’s Manual RH & Temperature Transmitter, Duct Mount 97332 Issue 1.1

DT722
RH & Temperature Transmitter, Duct Mount
User’s Manual
97332 Issue 1.1
July 2014
Please fill out the form(s) below for each instrument that has been purchased.
Use this information when contacting Michell Instruments for service purposes.
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Code
Serial Number
Invoice Date
Location of Instrument
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Transmitter
Code
Serial Number
Invoice Date
Location of Instrument
Tag No
Transmitter
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DT722
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www.michell.com
© 2014 Michell Instruments
This document is the property of Michell Instruments Ltd. and may not be copied or
otherwise reproduced, communicated in any way to third parties, nor stored in any Data
Processing System without the express written authorization of Michell Instruments Ltd.
DT722 User’s Manual
Contents
Safety ................................................................................................................................ v
Electrical Safety ........................................................................................................... v
Toxic Materials ............................................................................................................. v
Repair and Maintenance ............................................................................................... v
Calibration ................................................................................................................... v
Safety Conformity ........................................................................................................ v
Abbreviations ......................................................................................................................vi
Warnings ............................................................................................................................vi
1
2
3
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................1
1.1
Features ............................................................................................................ 1
INSTALLATION ..................................................................................................2
2.1
Electrical Connections ......................................................................................... 2
CALIBRATION AND ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE ....................................................3
3.1
Calibration and Adjustment ................................................................................. 3
Figures
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
1
2
3
4
5
DT722 .......................................................................................................1
Electrical Connections .................................................................................2
Connections ...............................................................................................3
Dimensions ................................................................................................6
Template ...................................................................................................7
Appendices
Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C
Appendix D
Appendix E
iv
Technical Specifications ................................................................................5
EC Declaration of Conformity ........................................................................9
Quality, Recycling & Warranty Information................................................... 11
C.1
Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) 97/23/EC ............................... 11
C.2
Recycling Policy .......................................................................... 11
C.3
WEEE Compliance........................................................................ 11
C.4
RoHS2 Compliance ...................................................................... 12
C.5
Warranty ..................................................................................... 12
C.6
REACH Compliance ...................................................................... 13
C.7
Calibration Facilities ..................................................................... 13
C.8
Return Policy ............................................................................... 14
C.9
Manufacturing Quality .................................................................. 14
Return Document & Decontamination Declaration ........................................ 16
Recommended Practices in Humidity Measurements..................................... 18
97332 Issue 1.1, July 2014
DT722 User’s Manual
Safety
The manufacturer has designed this equipment to be safe when operated using the procedures
detailed in this manual. The user must not use this equipment for any other purpose than that
stated. Do not apply values greater than the maximum value stated.
This manual contains operating and safety instructions, which must be followed to ensure the safe
operation and to maintain the equipment in a safe condition. The safety instructions are either
warnings or cautions issued to protect the user and the equipment from injury or damage. Use
competent personnel using good engineering practice for all procedures in this manual.
Electrical Safety
The instruments are designed to be completely safe when used with options and accessories supplied
by the manufacturer for use with the instrument.
Toxic Materials
The use of hazardous materials in the construction of this instrument has been minimized. During
normal operation it is not possible for the user to come into contact with any hazardous substance
which might be employed in the construction of the instrument. Care should, however, be exercised
during maintenance and the disposal of certain parts.
Repair and Maintenance
The instruments must be maintained either by the manufacturer or an accredited service agent.
Refer to www.michell.com for details of Michell Instruments’ worldwide offices contact information.
Calibration
Michell Instruments recommends an annual calibration for an accuracy requirement of ±2% RH
under ambient conditions where temperature is 0 to +50°C (+32 to +122°F) and relative humidity is
0 to 70% RH. For environments with airborne chemicals or for high humidity and high temperature
conditions, more frequent calibration is recommended.
Safety Conformity
This product meets the essential protection requirements of the relevant EU directives. Further
details of applied standards may be found in the product specification.
Michell Instruments
v
DT722 User’s Manual
INTRODUCTION
Abbreviations
The following abbreviations are used in this manual:
ºC
degrees Celsius
ºF
degrees Fahrenheit
DC
direct current
g
gram(s)
“
inch(es)
lb
pound(s)
mA
milliampere
mm
millimeters
%
percentage
oz
ounce(s)
RH
relative humidity
T
temperature
V
Volts
Warnings
The following general warning listed below is applicable to this instrument. It is repeated
in the text in the appropriate locations.
Where this hazard warning symbol appears in the following
sections it is used to indicate areas where potentially
hazardous operations need to be carried out.
vi
97332 Issue 1.1, July 2014
DT722 User’s Manual
1
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
The DT722 is a rugged, industrial, relative humidity and temperature transmitter
designed for process applications where accurate, stable measurement and control of
humidity and temperature is required.
Figure 1
1.1
DT722
Features
•
Designed for accurate measurement in a harsh environment
•
Can withstand temperatures up to 150°C (300°F)
•
Stainless steel housing
•
Calculated moisture signal output - optional
•
Integral loop powered display – optional
•
0 to 100% RH / -40 to +150°C operating ranges
•
Long term stability: ±1% RH over 12 months
•
M12 fast connector
Michell Instruments
1
DT722 User’s Manual
INSTALLATION
2
INSTALLATION
2.1
Electrical Connections
Connections
Cable
Pin
White
Pin 1
SUPPLY + 8 to 32 V DC
Yellow
Pin 2
Output 2 = Temp 4-20 mA (max 500 Ω)
Brown
Pin 3
DO NOT CONNECT! (for calibration only)
Green
Pin 4
Output 1 = RH 4-20 mA (max 500 Ω)
Pin 5
DO NOT CONNECT! (for calibration only)
NOTE: Even though the DT722 has a 5 pin connector, the standard
connection cable (A000031) has only 4 pins/wires.
However, only 3 pins (1, 2 and 4) are needed to connect the DT722
see Figure 3
2
3
Figure 2
2
5
1
4
Electrical Connections
97332 Issue 1.1, July 2014
DT722 User’s Manual
3
CALIBRATION
CALIBRATION AND ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE
•
Calibration certifications: In addition to the normal calibration
procedure, each transmitter can be supplied with its own traceable
calibration certificate. Please ask Michell Instruments or your local
distributor for more information.
•
Calibration interval time: Under normal ambient conditions (0 to
50°C, 0 to 70% RH) and for accuracy of ±2% RH, an annual calibration
is recommended. For accuracy of ±5% RH a calibration is recommended
every five years. For environments with airborne chemicals or of high
humidity and high temperature conditions more frequent calibration is
recommended.
A humidity generator, (Michell Instruments S503, S904 or Optical), used in combination
with a general reference handheld hygrometer, is ideal for a quick and accurate
calibration. For more information on the S503, S904 or Optical humidity generators
please contact Michell Instruments (see www.michell.com for contact details).
3.1
Calibration and Adjustment
For recalibration and adjustment of the product please contact Michell
Instruments (see www.michell.com for contact details).
WHITE
722
OUTPUT 1
RH
OUTPUT 2
Temp
V + 8 to 32 V DC
CONNECTIONS
CONNECTOR
CABLE
PIN 1
WHITE
PIN 2
YELLOW
PIN 3
BROWN
PIN 4
GREEN
PIN 5
SUPPLY + 8 TO 32 V DC
OUTPUT 2 = Temp 4-20 mA (max 500 Ω)
DO NOT CONNECT! (for calibration only)
OUTPUT 1 = RH 4-20 mA (max 500 Ω)
DO NOT CONNECT! (for calibration only)
GREEN
YELLOW
Figure 3
Michell Instruments
Connections
3
DT722 User’s Manual
APPENDIX A
Appendix A
Technical Specifications
4
97332 Issue 1.1, July 2014
DT722 User’s Manual
Appendix A
APPENDIX A
Technical Specifications
Performance
Measurement Range (RH)
0–100% RH
Measurement Range (T)
Accuracy at 25°C (77°F)
Humidity
Accuracy at 25°C (77°F)
Temperature
Stability – RH Sensor
Response time – RH Sensor
-40 to +150°C (-40 to +302°F)
<±2% RH (5-95% RH)
±0.2°C (±0.36°F) typical
±1% RH/year
<10 sec typical (for 90% of the step change)
Electrical Specifications
Output Signal
Supply Voltage
Supply Voltage Influence
4-20 mA
8 to 32 V DC
±0.01% RH/V typical
Operating Specifications
Operating Humidity
Probe, Housing, Storage
Operating Temperature
Probe
Housing
Storage
10 to 95% RH (non-condensing)
-40 to +150°C (-40 to +302°F)
-20 to +70°C (-4 to +158°F)
-30 to +75°C (-22 to +167°F)
Mechanical Specifications
Ingress Protection
Housing Material
Dimensions
Weight
Electrical Connections
Michell Instruments
IP65 (NEMA 4 level)
Stainless steel
Refer to Figure 4 - Dimensions
200mm / 800g (7.87” / 28.22oz)
300mm / 900g (11.81” / 31.75oz)
500mm / 1040g (19.69” / 36.68oz)
900mm / 1412g (35.43” / 49.80oz)
1500mm / 1970g (59.05” / 69.48oz)
5 pin, M12
5
DT722 User’s Manual
APPENDIX A
Dimensions
Figure 4
6
Dimensions
97332 Issue 1.1, July 2014
DT722 User’s Manual
APPENDIX A
This drawing is actual size and can, therefore, be photocopied
and used as a template when mounting the instrument.
Figure 5
Michell Instruments
Template
7
DT722 User’s Manual
APPENDIX B
Appendix B
EC Declaration of Conformity
8
97332 Issue 1.1, July 2014
DT722 User’s Manual
Appendix B
APPENDIX B
EC Declaration of Conformity
EC Declaration of Conformity
Manufacturer:
Michell Instruments B.V.
Krombraak 11
4906 CR Oosterhout
Netherlands.
We declare under our sole responsibility that the product:
DT722 RH & Temperature Transmitter
complies with all the essential requirements of the EC directives listed below.
2004/108/EC
EMC Directive
Using the standards:
EN61326-1:2006
Electrical equipment for measurement, control and
laboratory use – EMC requirements – Group 1, Class
B (emissions) and immunity.
and has been designed to be in conformance with the relevant sections of the following standards or other
normative documents.
EN61010-1:2010
Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment for
Measurement, Control, and Laboratory Use - Part 1:
General Requirements
Peter Haakma, Managing Director Michell Instruments B.V.
Date of Issue: November 2012
Michell Instruments
9
DT722 User’s Manual
APPENDIX C
Appendix C
Quality, Recycling
& Warranty
Information
10
97332 Issue 1.1, July 2014
DT722 User’s Manual
Appendix C
C.1
APPENDIX C
Quality, Recycling & Warranty Information
Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) 97/23/EC
The above Directive has been implemented in United Kingdom Law by the Pressure Equipment
Regulations 1999.
The Regulations require that all pressure equipment and assemblies within the scope of the Pressure
Equipment Directive must be safe when placed on the market or put into service.
Michell Instruments’ products have been assessed and, as referenced against the Classification Charts
detailed in Annex II of the Directive, do not fall into the requirements for CE marking compliance
with the Pressure Equipment Directive.
Article 3, paragraph 3 states that any product containing a pressurized fluid that does not qualify for
compliance should, nevertheless, be constructed with Sound Engineering Practice (SEP).
Michell Instruments attests here that its products have been designed, manufactured & tested to
assure safe operation, and in accordance with Sound Engineering Practices.
C.2
Recycling Policy
Michell Instruments is concerned with the protection of the environment. It is our commitment to
reduce and eliminate from our operations, wherever possible, the use of substances which may be
harmful to the environment. Similarly, we are increasingly using recyclable and/or recycled material
in our business and products wherever it is practical to do so.
To protect natural resources and to promote material reuse, please separate batteries from other
types of waste and recycle responsibly. If batteries are not properly disposed of, these substances
can cause harm to human health and the environment.
The product that you have purchased may contain recyclable and/or recycled parts and we will be
happy to provide you with information on these components if required. For further information
please see the following sections.
C.3
WEEE Compliance
Directive 2012/19/EU 4 July 2012 on Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE)
The Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE) Directive places rules upon European
manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment. The directives’ aim is to reduce the impact
that electronic devices have on the environment.
Michell Instruments is in full compliance with the WEEE Directive and is registered with an approved
recycler (Registration No. WEE/JB0235YW) and treats the requirement of the directive and the
protection of the environment with the utmost importance. All Michell Instruments’ products are
appropriately marked indicating their requirement for recycling.
It may be required to return certain instruments for treatment at the end of their working life.
Feb 2013
Michell Instruments
11
APPENDIX C
C.4
DT722 User’s Manual
RoHS2 Compliance
Directive 2011/65/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2011
The Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive places rules upon European manufacturers
of electrical and electronic equipment. The directives’ aim is to reduce the impact that electronic
devices have on the environment.
According to the EC Directive 2002/95/EC, Michell Instruments’ products qualify as Category 9,
Control and Monitoring Equipment. Under the 2002/95/EC Directive, Category 9 products are exempt
from compliance with the Directive.
However, the careful design of all Michell Instruments’ products takes into consideration the
requirements of the Directive and, wherever possible, compliance is achieved. All future products
will be developed entirely using compliant materials. Furthermore, Michell Instruments is taking
active steps to remove non-compliant materials and components from existing products wherever
these may occur. Presently, none of the non-compliant materials are known to occur in Michell
Instruments’ products.
The new Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS2) entered into force on 21 July 2011 and required all Member
States to transpose the provisions into their respective national laws by 2 January 2013.
Under the provisions of the RoHS2 EU Directive 2011/65/EU (Article 3, [24]) defines ‘Control and
Monitoring Equipment’ specifically as ‘monitoring and control instruments designed exclusively for
industrial or professional use’.
RoHS2 EU Directive 2011/65/EU states the closing date for compliance of any Control and Monitoring
Equipment product sold into the EU market place as 22nd July 2017.
However, the careful design policy of all Michell Instruments’ products continues to attain compliance
in the shortest practical timescales and strives to ensure that less than 0.1% of total mass per
product, of all non-compliant materials, appear within them. Michell Instruments continues to
monitor suppliers and material sources to ensure that compliance of goods provided is maintained.
January 2013
C.5
Warranty
Unless otherwise agreed, the Supplier warrants that, as from the date of delivery for a period of 12
months, the goods and all their component parts, where applicable, are free from any defects in
design, workmanship, construction or materials.
The Supplier warrants that the services undertaken shall be performed using reasonable skill and
care, and be of a quality conforming to generally accepted industry standards and practices.
Except as expressly stated, all warranties whether express or implied, by operation of law or
otherwise, are hereby excluded in relation to the goods and services to be provided by the Supplier.
All warranty services are provided on a return to base basis. Any transportation costs for the return
of a warranty claim shall reside with the Customer.
12
97332 Issue 1.1, July 2014
DT722 User’s Manual
C.6
APPENDIX C
REACH Compliance
Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006
Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)
Michell Instruments is a manufacturer of moisture measurement and gas analysis instrumentation
and is a ‘downstream’ user of chemicals, as described by the EU Council Directive 76/769/EEC. The
products we supply are not raw chemical products (goods).
Under normal and reasonably foreseeable circumstances of application, the goods supplied to you
shall not contain or release any prohibited chemicals. No listed SVHC (Substances of Very High
Concern) appear within products manufactured by Michell Instruments. Therefore the 0.1% mass
per product, or total usage of 1 tonne/year, will never be exceeded. For these reasons we are neither
required by obligation for registration nor for the creation of material safety data sheets (MSDS) for
our products.
Our continued review of the SVHC Candidate List and latest additions is to ensure we remain
compliant.
Michell Instruments maintains a hazardous material register in which MSDS data sheets are collated,
and we will check that our suppliers will comply to REACH requirements for all materials and
substances we use in the processes of our manufacturing.
In the unlikely event that any chemicals of concern appear in our products in quantities greater than
0.1% of total mass per product we will immediately inform you by correspondence according to the
REACH Article 33 requirements. Our current appraisal is, however, that we do not expect or foresee
such an incidence.
January 2013
C.7
Calibration Facilities
Michell Instruments’ calibration facilities are among the most sophisticated in the world and have
been recognized for their excellence.
Traceability to the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) UK is achieved through our UKAS Accreditation
(Number 0179). This covers dew point over the range -90 to +90°C (-130 to +194°F) and also
Relative Humidity.
Dew-point calibrations are also traceable to the National Institute for Standards & Technology (NIST)
USA over the range -75 to +20°C (-103 to +68°F).
NOTE: Standard traceable calibration certificates for instruments and sensors are not
issued under our UKAS accreditation. UKAS certificates are usually to special order and
are clearly identified.
Michell Instruments
13
DT722 User’s Manual
APPENDIX C
C.8
Return Policy
If a Michell Instruments’ product malfunctions within the warranty period, the following procedure
must be completed:
C.9
1.
Notify a Michell Instruments’ distributor, giving full details of the problem, the
model variant and the serial number of the product.
2.
If the nature of the problem indicates the need for factory service then the
instrument should be returned to Michell Instruments, carriage prepaid, preferably
in the original packaging, with a full description of the fault and the customer
contact information.
3.
Upon receipt, Michell Instruments will evaluate the product to determine the cause
of the malfunction. Then, one of the following courses of action will be taken:
•
If the fault is covered under the terms of the warranty, the
instrument will be repaired at no cost to the owner and returned.
•
If Michell Instruments determines that the fault is not covered
under the terms of the warranty, or if the warranty has expired,
an estimate for the cost of the repairs, at standard rates, will be
provided. Upon receipt of the owner’s approval to proceed, the
product will be repaired and returned.
Manufacturing Quality
Michell Instruments is registered with the British Standards Institute for Quality Assurance to:
BS EN ISO 9001: 2008
Rigorous procedures are performed at every stage of production to ensure that the materials of
construction, manufacturing, calibration and final test procedures meet the requirements laid down
by our BSI approved Quality System.
Please contact Michell Instruments (www.michell.com) if the product does not arrive in perfect
working order.
14
97332 Issue 1.1, July 2014
DT722 User’s Manual
APPENDIX D
Appendix D
Return Document &
Decontamination Declaration
Michell Instruments
15
DT722 User’s Manual
APPENDIX D
Appendix D
Return Document & Decontamination Declaration
'HFRQWDPLQDWLRQ&HUWL¿FDWH
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please complete this form prior to this instrument, or any components, leaving your
site and being returned to us, or, where applicable, prior to any work being carried out by a Michell
engineer at your site.
Instrument
Warranty Repair?
Serial Number
YES
NO
Company Name
Original PO #
Contact Name
Address
Telephone #
E-mail address
Reason for Return /Description of Fault:
Has this equipment been exposed (internally or externally) to any of the following?
Please circle (YES/NO) as applicable and provide details below
Biohazards
YES
NO
Biological agents
YES
NO
Hazardous chemicals
YES
NO
Radioactive substances
YES
NO
Other hazards
YES
NO
Please provide details of any hazardous materials used with this equipment as indicated above (use continuation sheet
if necessary)
Your method of cleaning/decontamination
Has the equipment been cleaned and decontaminated?
YES
NOT NECESSARY
Michell Instruments will not accept instruments that have been exposed to toxins, radio-activity or bio-hazardous
PDWHULDOV)RUPRVWDSSOLFDWLRQVLQYROYLQJVROYHQWVDFLGLFEDVLFÀDPPDEOHRUWR[LFJDVHVDVLPSOHSXUJHZLWKGU\
JDVGHZSRLQWƒ&RYHUKRXUVVKRXOGEHVXI¿FLHQWWRGHFRQWDPLQDWHWKHXQLWSULRUWRUHWXUQ
Work will not be carried out on any unit that does not have a completed decontamination declaration.
Decontamination Declaration
I declare that the information above is true and complete to the best of my knowledge, and it is safe for Michell
personnel to service or repair the returned instrument.
Name (Print)
Position
Signature
Date
F0121, Issue 2, December 2011
16
97332 Issue 1.1, July 2014
DT722 User’s Manual
APPENDIX E
Appendix E
Recommended Practices
in Humidity Measurements
Michell Instruments
17
DT722 User’s Manual
APPENDIX E
Appendix E
Recommended Practices in Humidity Measurements
The following text is reproduced with kind permission from the National Physical Laboratory. It is originally
published in the booklet, A Guide to the Measurement of Humidity.
Definition of Relative Humidity
Relative Humidity – The ratio of the actual vapor pressure to the saturation vapor pressure over a plane
liquid water surface at the same temperature, expressed as a percentage. This is commonly understood when
the term ‘X percent relative humidity’ is used.
For actual vapor pressure, e, and saturation vapor pressure, es
e
relative humidity (in %) = –––
es
x 100
USAGE: The phrase ‘relative humidity’ is commonly abbreviated RH although this is not a recognized
abbreviation. Values of relative humidity are commonly expressed in units of percent relative humidity (% RH).
Recommended practices in humidity measurements
General practical recommendations
18
•
Where relative humidity is of interest, a direct measurement of relative humidity is usually
best. Where an absolute measure of humidity is needed, choose dew point, vapor pressure
or similar measurements.
•
Establish the measurement requirements at the purchasing stage in order to have the
right instrument for the job.
•
Allow hygrometers to equilibrate in any new environment. This is particularly necessary
after changes in temperature due to transportation or storage. Depending on the instrument
and on how great the change in conditions, this may require from only a few minutes to
many hours.
•
Follow Michell Instruments’ care instructions for the instrument. Some instruments need
routine cleaning or other maintenance. Before using any solvent cleaner, check with Michell
Instruments that this will not harm the sensor or other materials of construction.
•
Wherever possible, ensure that hygrometers are calibrated under the conditions of use,
i.e. at similar values of humidity and temperature, and (if relevant) in similar conditions of
pressure, airflow, etc.
•
Keep a record of calibrations and any adjustments to the hygrometer. This will show the
long-term stability of the instrument and allow the associated uncertainty to be assessed.
•
Check instruments, if possible, at intervals between calibrations, by comparison with
another (stable) instrument, to monitor for long-term drift. Routine checks are also useful
before and after subjecting an instrument to transportation or other stress, which might
lead to a shift in its performance. Where the check is against two (or more) instruments
this is even better: not only does this add confidence, but in the event of one instrument
drifting among a set of three, it can be seen which reading is most suspect.
•
Cleanliness of the environment will affect different hygrometers in different ways. Dust
and airborne droplets should be avoided or filtered out if possible. Contaminants can come
from the most surprising sources, ordinary urban pollution, for example.
•
The readings given by some types of hygrometer are sensitive to gas type. For any
Instrument which reads in terms of mass per unit volume, e.g. in grams per cubic metre,
it must be confirmed whether the calibration is valid for the gas in use.
97332 Issue 1.1, July 2014
DT722 User’s Manual
•
APPENDIX E
Avoid using instruments in direct sunlight or near any other source of heat, unless they
are suitably shielded to prevent measurement errors.
Sampling in general
•
Relative humidity measurements should be carried out at a representative temperature.
Failure to allow temperature equilibration will lead to a false indication of the relative
humidity.
•
Variations in vapor pressure from place to place can occur where an environment is subject
to any addition or removal of water. If so, care must be taken over where to make a
measurement in order to obtain a representative result.
•
Sources and sinks of water vapor should be avoided in any sampling system. Invasion of
stray water can be minimised by attention to leaks, hygroscopic materials, droplets and
condensation. The lower the humidity, the more critical these precautions are.
•
Hygroscopic materials should be avoided. Many materials contain moisture as part of their
structure, particularly organic materials (whether natural or synthetic), salts (or anything
which contains them), and anything which has small pores. Temperature changes can
increase the tendency of these materials to affect the humidity of the surrounding air.
•
Condensation in a sampling process can invalidate humidity measurements by reducing
the water content of the gas being measured. What is more, condensed liquid may alter
the humidity elsewhere by dripping or running to other locations and evaporating there.
In these circumstances, measurement results may be misleading if hygrometer location is
not considered carefully.
•
Water droplets or mist must be avoided. These can result in overestimates of the humidity
of the air between the droplets. Such results may exceed 100% RH, or may be impossible
to interpret meaningfully. Droplets of liquid also damage some electrical types of humidity
sensor. Filtering the air sample can eliminate droplets.
•
If pumps are used for sampling gas, these should be located after the hygrometer, to avoid
contaminating the measurement environment. Where possible, oil free pumps should be
used, or filters employed. Oscillations in pressure due to pumping can sometimes be
reduced or buffered using a needle valve or a reservoir of large volume.
•
Special treatments such as filtration can change the amount of moisture in a gas. Some
drying agents take out other gases, too.
•
When sealing any sensor or probe into a port or manifold in a duct or chamber, leaks
through the probe or electrical cable should be considered. These are not always sealed
against passage of ambient air.
•
Where sampling involves a step change in temperature, pressure or gas flow rate, relative
to the process being sampled, results may need to be converted or interpreted. For
example ‘pressure dew point’ will differ from the value found after expanding the gas
sample to atmospheric pressure. Care should be taken to distinguish between ‘gauge’ and
absolute values of pressure.
Dew point in general
•
The measuring environment and all parts of the sampling pathway must be kept above
the dew point if condensation is to be avoided. Electrical trace heating or other heating
methods should be used if necessary. An excess temperature of 10°C above the dew point
is usually a safe margin.
•
For measurements in the region below 0°C it must be clear whether the condensate is dew
or frost. Failure to distinguish between these can result in errors of about 1°C for every
10°C below zero.
Michell Instruments
19
APPENDIX E
DT722 User’s Manual
Relative humidity in general
•
Due care must be taken of temperature. The effect of temperature on humidity is highly
significant. Failure to take this into account can sometimes lead to errors so large that the
measurement is meaningless. In many situations, the largest single source of uncertainty
in a humidity measurement is the effect of temperature differences from place to place
in the process, room or chamber. The importance of considering the temperature effects
carefully cannot be overstated when relative humidity is the parameter of interest.
•
Care must be taken when expressing uncertainties, changes or fractional differences in
relative humidity. For example, the difference between 50% RH and 52% RH is 2% RH.
This can also be expressed as a difference of 4% of value. It is important to distinguish
clearly between these two kinds of statement.
Recommendations specific to ranges of measurements
20
•
Ambient humidity - Avoid using hygrometers near the body, which is a source of heat and
moisture. Do not breathe close to the measurement.
•
High humidity, above the ambient range - Ample lines should be maintained above the
dew point of the gas being measured, to avoid condensation. Electrical trace heating is
often the most practical method.
•
Low humidity, and very dry gases - If possible, prepare for measurements by flushing
sample lines and hygrometers with dry gas, or by evacuating to low pressure. Drive
off stray residual water by baking assemblies if possible (but not instruments – unless
designed for this!). The lower the moisture content to be measured, the more dramatically
the required drying time multiplies.
•
Avoid hygroscopic materials. At low humidity (anything much below a dew point of 0°C)
the amounts of water given off by organic and porous materials can dramatically affect
the value of humidity. The lower the level of moisture, the more significant the effects.
•
Choose impermeable materials, to avoid inward diffusion of moisture through sampling
tubes and enclosures. Steel and other metals are practically impermeable. PTFE (‘Teflon’)
is only slightly permeable and will usually be satisfactory for dew points above -20°C, and
sometimes below this level. Materials such as PVC and rubber are relatively permeable
and so totally unsuitable at low humidity, and not really satisfactory in any humidity range.
•
Surface finish of pipework is important for very dry gases. Even the tiny quantities of
water adsorbed on the surfaces of non-hygroscopic materials can have significant effect.
Polished or electropolished steel is recommended for the best results.
•
Clean environments are always best for humidity measurements, but this is especially
critical at very low humidity. Even fingerprints harbour water. High purity cleaning agents
are recommended: Analytical Reagent (AR) quality solvents for oil-based contaminants,
and purified water (distilled or de-ionised) for salts. Cleaning should be followed by
thorough drying by a clean method.
•
Sample tubing should be as short in length as possible. The surface area should be
minimised by using the narrowest tubing that the flow conditions will permit.
•
Avoid leaks. Minimising the number of connections (elbows, tees, valves, etc.) helps with
this.
•
Adequate flow of the gas sample should be ensured, to minimise the influence of sources
of stray water in the flow path.
•
‘Dead ends’ should be avoided, as they cannot easily be flushed.
•
Back-diffusion of moisture should be minimised, e.g. by fast flow rates of gas, long exhaust
tubes after the sensor, or by valves which isolate the low-humidity region from ambient air.
97332 Issue 1.1, July 2014
DT722 User’s Manual
APPENDIX E
Practical recommendations for specific types of hygrometer
Relative humidity capacitive sensor
•
Care should be taken to avoid mechanical shock (impact) or thermal shock (sudden
temperature changes). Sensors should be protected from steam or water sprays, and from
direct sunlight.
•
Where a sensor is at risk of exposure to dust, droplets, or the occasional knock during
handling, the appropriate guard or filters for the sensor head should be used.
•
Any temptation to breathe on the sensor, or to wave it over cups of tea, etc. should be
resisted. Filters and saturation guarding may protect the sensor, but these actions carry a
risk of damage by condensation or other contamination.
•
Protective filters can slow the response time of sensors. This can be avoided by removing
any filter, but the benefit must be weighed against the risk of damage to the sensor.
•
Sensors should not normally be submerged in liquids. In the case of a resistive (electrolytic)
sensor, water or other liquids would certainly damage the sensor beyond repair.
•
Salt solutions are especially commonly used for calibration of electrical sensors, and should
be provided with traceability directly or via a calibrated hygrometer. Protection of sensors
from direct contact with salt or solution is most important as contamination would destroy
or seriously impair the sensing element.
Michell Instruments
21
DT722 User’s Manual
NOTES
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97332 Issue 1.1, July 2014
DT722 User’s Manual
NOTES
Michell Instruments
23
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